It’s summer time, thank god! So, instead of spending your summer sitting around watching Netflix (although, I know we’d all love to do that), go outside. Make some memories this summer and if you need some help, I’ll tell you how to do so.

1. Volunteer

Last summer, I volunteered every single Tuesday and Thursday of the summer at a non-profit called Bethany House. Bethany House is a wonderful organization that houses homeless mothers and their children while they are still attempting to get back on their feet. At Bethany House, I babysat the children when their mothers were at job-counseling or some kind of therapy. Babysitting those children was the most fulfilling activity I did all summer. I loved playing soccer and doing crafts with the kids. Throughout getting to know these children, I learned some very important lessons. They taught me to be grateful for the things that I have and always have a positive outlook on life. I mean, those kids are homeless and they are some of the most positive and happy people I know. They are all so kind and grateful that it inspired me to be better in those regards. Everyone should spend some of their time volunteering in the summer because why not? You learn so much from the people you help and it gives your summer purpose. You can feel like you are actually making a difference in your community. Honestly, volunteering at Bethany House last summer is what made my summer. Everyone needs that kind of fulfillment in their lives.

2. Get a job

OK, I know you are probably thinking oh my god this girl is crazy I don’t want a job this summer, but hear me out. I worked at a pool last summer (which let me tell you, is not very taxing) and I absolutely loved it. Working at a pool is not a hard job, but I made some great friends and made money while doing it! I worked in the snack bar, so I got to sit in air conditioning all day and eat food. What could be better? Working in the summer really isn’t bad and I definitely encourage you to do it. You will have money when all of your friends don’t and I promise, it will help you in the future when you are applying to other jobs.

3. Go on a scavenger hunt

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to have a scavenger hunt with friends. My friends and I always have a scavenger hunt in the summer. We break up into three teams of about six people and make a list of tasks that we have two hours to complete, or try to complete. The activities on the list include some crazy things, like challenging a worker at McDonalds to race you in eating a cheeseburger or going pool-hopping, but also some easier things like getting a fortune cookie. All of the activities on the list have different points associated with them, so obviously you want to do the harder things to get more points. At the end of the two hours, all the teams meet back at someone’s house and add up all the points they received. The winning team gets bragging rights and they also get to make the list of tasks for the next scavenger hunt. I am not lying to you when I say that scavenger hunts are actually very fun. They might sound kind of boring, but they aren’t if you make them fun!

4. Go on a road trip

Road tripping is probably the most fun summer activity. You’re probably thinking ugh I don’t have any money, but here is a cheap way to go on a road trip. First, you can find one of your friends or you who has a vacation home. Right when school ended this year, my friends and I drove down to my friend’s lake house in Cumberland, Kentucky. The drive was about four hours and we stayed at their house for about two nights and went to the lake and did fun things around the town. Next, we decided to drive to the East Coast and stopped in North Carolina. The drive was only about five more hours. Along the way, we stopped at any random museum sign we saw or anywhere that seemed interesting. Then, we when got to North Carolina, we spent the rest of the day and night at the beach. We found a free camping ground and set up our tents there. We hung out at the camping group for a three nights, then decided to go home. The drive home was only nine hours! We had an amazing six days and only spent money on food and gas. It was a crazy and fun experience. You should be spontaneous like that this summer and if one of your friends doesn’t have a vacation home, you can stay at a camp ground like we did in North Carolina or in a cheap motel! There are a lot of options to plan a fun road trip.

5. Learn to play an instrument

I am in the process of learning how to play the guitar and let me tell you, it is no walk in the park. But, it gives me something to do and it is actually very fun. I can play a few songs now and I love playing them for my friends and family. Learning how to play an instrument is also really relaxing. I feel all of my stress fade away when I pick up my guitar. I love playing and I truly believe that everyone should learn how to play an instrument when they have free time in the summer because it is such a good outlet for stress and problems. Who knows, maybe you could even start a band with some friends?

6. Do yoga

Yoga is actually an easy and fun way to spend the summer. Yoga helped me to reconnect with myself and reflect on who am I as a person. Because yoga is a very spiritual exercise, it is good for anyone who is going through a break-up or relationship issues. It allows you to understand yourself better and be able to move on from the hardships you have faced in the past. You should just go out and buy a yoga mat at a store like Target, so it is only about $15. Then, you can look up tutorials on YouTube or other apps and start doing yoga! It is supper easy and does not take much time to become good at. Yoga has not only allowed me to become more flexible and lose a lot of weight, but it has allowed me to move on from events of my past and be happy. Buy a yoga mat today people!

7. Write in a journal

Finally, to keep track of all of the fun things you do this summer, you should keep a journal. Ever since I have started writing in a journal, I have had time to think about my life and what I am doing with it. I have been able to change some things about the way I live through reflecting and writing about it. A journal is also a nice way to vent about whatever you need to vent about- family, friends, boys, school, whatever! Keeping a journal will help you document your summer and be able to remember all of the fun you had. Journals are an inexpensive way to document your life and reflect on your experiences. I love journaling, which is part of the reason I am the writer and person I am today. Journaling is a great way to keep track of completing every activity on this listJ

Put down your phone and turn off that Netflix! Get up and go experience summer the way you should experience it. Be safe, but most importantly remember to have fun!